PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rufus McTearson (ranked 868 p4p, 120 weight class) and Eric Ashton (ranked 1883 p4p, 256 weight class). Ashton has chosen Zombie Nation as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McTearson
vs
Ashton

193 cm
41
202 lbs
46 - 24 - 4

182 cm
28
189 lbs
16 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Power Matrix Nutrition
Red Light Coffeeshop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 46 - 24 - 4, fighting out of New York, Rufus McTearson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Eric Ashton!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ashton getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
McTearson has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Beast in the buildup to the fight.
McTearson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ashton looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ashton misses with a jab, cross combination.
McTearson throws a quick counter kick to the body but Ashton avoids it.
Ashton lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ashton swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McTearson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ashton.
McTearson throws a head kick that misses.
Ashton misses with a hook
and McTearson counters with a straight right hand.
Ashton swings widly with a right hand
enabling McTearson to counter with a crisp jab.
A right-left combo lands from McTearson.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ashton throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ashton takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Ashton throws an off balance right hand
and McTearson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McTearson moves out of range of the body kick from Ashton.
Ashton throws a right hand that misses
and McTearson counters with a nice body shot.
Ashton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Eric Ashton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McTearson moves out of range as Ashton strikes.
McTearson misses with a combination
and Ashton connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McTearson staying out of range there.
McTearson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ashton misses with a hook.
McTearson defending well as Ashton loads up on a big left hand.
McTearson appears to be looking for a big counter.
McTearson misses with a low kick.
McTearson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ashton lands a jab.
McTearson moves out of range as Ashton strikes.
McTearson looks for the body kick but Ashton saw that one coming.
McTearson throws a sloppy body shot
and Ashton counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ashton throws a shot from downtown. McTearson moves away and avoids it.
Rufus McTearson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McTearson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
McTearson throws the left hand but Ashton avoids the punch easily.
Ashton tries to land a body kick
and McTearson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McTearson's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and McTearson duly obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ashton gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
McTearson slips under a jab.
McTearson thinks about countering with a head kick.
McTearson dodges the punch combination from Ashton.
McTearson scores with a hook.
McTearson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McTearson moves away from the strike by Ashton.
McTearson is looking to counter punch.
Ashton lands with a nice body kick.
McTearson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
McTearson misses with a straight right.
Ashton moves out of range of the body kick.
McTearson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ashton to score with a decent uppercut.
A lazy body kick from Ashton
and McTearson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ashton misses with an uppercut
and McTearson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashton scores with a jab to the head.
McTearson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
McTearson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ashton checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
McTearson blocks a head kick by Ashton.
Ashton avoids the body shot from McTearson.
McTearson slips under a jab from Ashton.
McTearson moves away from the strike by Ashton.
A left lands for Ashton.
McTearson throws the left hand but Ashton avoids the punch easily.
Nice defenses there by McTearson.
Ashton lands a nice shot that snaps McTearson's head back.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McTearson, right into the meat.
McTearson scores with a jab.
Ashton is looking to score with low kicks.
A big left from Ashton misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ashton lands with a nice body kick.
Ashton misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ashton fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and McTearson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
McTearson tries to land a front kick but Ashton steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Jab from Ashton.
McTearson is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
McTearson throws a big shot that misses.
Ashton scores with a nice head shot.
McTearson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McTearson throws out a leg kick but Ashton moves out of range and McTearson only half commits.
Ashton scores with a nice body kick.
Ashton on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McTearson. McTearson obviously looking to wear him down.
Ashton showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McTearson.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McTearson lands a really nice looking cross but Ashton seems unphased.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Eric Ashton will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

McTearson walks into a left hand.
Ashton doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ashton thuds his shin into the meat of McTearson's side.
Ashton takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
McTearson swings for the body but Ashton moves out of range.
Ashton lands a really nice looking cross but McTearson seems unphased.

Ashton closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. McTearson did well to prevent Ashton getting side control.
Ashton working McTearson over with strikes.
McTearson is trying is best to control the position here.
McTearson is trying to control but can't.
Ashton working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ashton throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ashton lands a nice short elbow.
Ashton prevents McTearson from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashton drops an elbow to the side of McTearson's head.
McTearson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ashton prevents McTearson from improving his position.
McTearson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ashton.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McTearson is trying to control but can't.
McTearson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ashton wants to control but McTearson is keeping him busy.
Ashton is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ashton has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ashton seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Ashton is looking to take a break and control but McTearson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ashton is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
McTearson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The fighters are battling for position here. McTearson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
McTearson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ashton slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ashton moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McTearson walks into a jab.
Eric Ashton seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A clash of legs there as Ashton blocks the low kick.
McTearson needs to keep his hands up - Ashton had a free shot at his head there.
McTearson throws a nice head kick!
Ashton blocks a low kick nicely.
Ashton throws a jab when McTearson was well out of range.
Ashton thows a left - swing and a miss!
McTearson ducks under a wild hook from Ashton.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ashton. McTearson does a little dance to reset his feet.
McTearson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ashton moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ashton getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
McTearson throws a combination that misses
and Ashton counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ashton jabs McTearson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice cross by McTearson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashton throws a push kick but McTearson slaps the foot to one side.
McTearson slips under a jab from Ashton.
McTearson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ashton.
McTearson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ashton throws out the jab.
McTearson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ashton misses with a looping right.
McTearson throws a one two combo.
McTearson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ashton connects with a crisp jab.
Ashton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McTearson throws a big counter combination but Ashton scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
McTearson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ashton.
Ashton listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
McTearson checks a leg kick.
Ashton connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed McTearson momentarily.
Ashton throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
As Ashton tries to get set, McTearson tries to push him back and clinch up but Ashton manages to avoid the attempt.
Ashton throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling McTearson to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Ashton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ashton drives through with a takedown into McTearson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ashton is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Let's hope that Ashton has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
McTearson controlling Ashton's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ashton trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashton postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McTearson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McTearson pulls Ashton in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashton postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ashton throwing strikes from guard but McTearson blocks nicely.
McTearson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ashton is pressing down on McTearson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
McTearson won't allow Ashton to sweep him here.
Ashton has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ashton has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
McTearson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ashton looking to control.
Ashton looking for a sweep. Not yet Ashton, not yet.
Ashton is trying to control the position but McTearson postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ashton displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McTearson throws out the jab.
Ashton misses with a hook.
McTearson throws a hook to the side of Ashton's head but Ashton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McTearson scores with a jab. Ashton acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Ashton scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McTearson trying to remain calm as Ashton controls from the top position.
Ashton tries to score with some ground and pound. McTearson controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Ashton trying to control the position but McTearson is working away.
Ashton working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Ashton tries for a kimura but McTearson is defending well.
Ashton is looking to take a break and control but McTearson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ashton gets to mount! McTearson was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Poor strikes thrown by Ashton there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Ashton punishing his opponent with strikes.
A nice elbow there by Ashton.
Rufus McTearson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ashton lands with some vicious ground and pound - can McTearson hang on?
Ashton lands a heavy elbow.
Ashton landing strikes from the mount and McTearson is in trouble!
McTearson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ashton working away from the top, dropping strikes.

McTearson is rocked!
Ashton loads up on a couple of big shots to the head that have McTearson scrambling to escape. He can't get free though and several more unanswered shots from Ashton land to the head. The referee has no choice but to stop the fight. Ashton stands and salutes the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Eric Ashton!
A victorious Eric Ashton thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.